Manx Hockey Association’s knockout competitions are set to take centre stage this weekend.

With the previous round decimated by the flurry of snow a couple of weeks ago, there are still matches that need to be played in the first round which are being held midweek. But Saturday will give a good chance to see teams from different leagues face off and test themselves against superior opposition.

In the MHA Women’s Plate, current Rossborough Division Two leaders take on Division One strugglers Bacchas B and, with the latter’s form being indifferent this year, Vikings sense they have a chance of making the next round.

But it will not be easy as this Bacchas team is experienced and easily the favourites to progress in the competition.

The other round two match sees either Valkyrs C or Ramsey B take on Harlequins or Bacchas C. In all reality, after their form so far this season few people can see past Harlequins making it all the way to the final.

The MHA Men’s Plate sees Vikings C take on either Harlequins B or Bacchas B. In all likelihood, it will be Bacchas B they face and as one of the title favourites it is hard to look past the whites.

But Vikings C proved last year en route to the final when taking it all the way to penalty strokes that they are a cup team who seem to lift themselves on the big occasion.

The other round two match sees Harlequins A or Bacchas C take on Castletown B and all eyes are on Harlequins to make the next round.

The MHA Men’s Cup sees matches between Ramsey A and Vikings A plus Valkyrs A taking on Bacchas A.

Vikings don the favourites tag, especially after their much-improved performance last week against their title rivals Bacchas.

Valkyrs will sense they have a chance to overcome Bacchas following their loss last week and seem to be in the right form to have a chance against the current league leaders.

Vikings A remain the favourites in the MHA Women’s Cup and they take on Valkyrs A who they have already beaten twice this year - few will bet against anything other than a Vikings win. But Valkyrs do have the talent to overcome Vikings if they can remain focused and on the front foot for the whole 70 minutes.

The other match sees Ramsey A take on Bacchas A. So far the better side this year has been Bacchas A but Ramsey A do have the potential to defeat the teams above them in the league. Given their league standing, the northerners may feel the cup is now their chance to put themselves at the front of everyone’s minds with a trip to the final.

There is one senior league match this week between Valkyrs B and Castletown A, with the southerners hoping to gain points in the Rossborough Women’s Premier League while everyone else is concentrating on the cup.

The Rossborough Under-16 Mixed League sees a few interesting matches take place, with Castletown aiming for some improvement when they face title chasers Vikings.

Elsewhere, a close game is in prospect when Valkyrs take on Ramsey Rogues and Rascals, while Harlequins will be favourites when they take on Bacchas.

FIXTURES

Saturday, March 5.

Rossborough Women’s Premier League

2pm Motorworx Valkyrs B v J.Qualtrough & Co Castletown A @ CRHS

Rossborough Mixed Under-16s 2

11am Canaccord Genuity Vikings v J.Qualtrough & Co Castletown @ CRHS

12.30pm Motorworx Valkyrs v Exceed Business Services Ramsey @ CRHS

3.30pmSwales Flooring Harlequins v Ramsey Crookall Cronkbourne Bacchas @ CRHS

MHA Men’s Cup

2pm Exceed Business Services Ramsey A

v Canaccord Genuity Vikings A @ NSC

3.30pm Motorworx Valkyrs A v Ramsey Crookall Cronkbourne Bacchas A @ NSC

MHA Women’s Cup

2pm Motorworx Valkyrs A

v Canaccord Genuity Vikings A @ QEII

3.30pmExceed Business Services Ramsey A v Ramsey Crookall Cronkbourne Bacchas A

@ QEII

MHA Men’s Plate

11am Canaccord Vikings C v Athena Healthcare Harlequins B/ Ramsey Crookall Cronkbourne Bacchas B @ NSC

12.30pm Athena Healthcare Harlequins A/Ramsey Crookall Cronkbourne Bacchas C v J.Qualtrough Castletown B @ NSC

MHA Women’s Plate

12.30pm Ramsey Crookall

Cronkbourne Bacchas B

v Canaccord Genuity Vikings C @ QEII

11am Motorworx Valkyrs C/

Exceed Business Services Ramsey B

v Athena Healthcare Harlequins/

Ramsey Crookall Cronkbourne Bacchas C @ QEII